Minors & Special Concentration

The Minor in Modern Greek Language, Literature, and Culture is designed to offer students an advanced understanding of contemporary Greece with a specialization in the field of Modern Greek Language, Literature, and Culture that is representative of the intellectual breadth of our core Faculty.

The Minor in Hellenic Studies functions as a cluster of courses that will introduce students to the diachronic study of Greece and could complement the majors in Classics, Classical Studies, Art History and Archaeology, History, etc.

The Special Concentration is structured around course offerings in Modern Greek Language & Culture Courses and in Modern Greek Studies Interdepartmental courses.

Paths of Undergraduate Study

Available for CC and GS undergraduates. 

  • PREREQUISITE
    • Students should have satisfied the Elementary Sequence (GRKM1101, GRKM1102) or demonstrated equal proficiency through a placement test administered by the Program in Hellenic Studies
  • DECLARING
    • There is no formal application to the Minor. Interested students should contact the Program’s Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Nikolas P. Kakkoufa. 
  • REQUIREMENTS
    • Five (15-18 credits) courses on top of the successful completion of the Elementary Modern Greek Sequence (8 credits). Any appropriate course taught in the area of Modern Greek Studies in departments other than Classics must be approved by the DUS. Typically, no more than two courses will be allowed to double-count with a student’s major or the college’s Core Requirements. 
    • GRKM 2101 Intermediate Modern Greek I 
    • GRKM 2102 Intermediate Modern Greek II 
    • Students who place out of the Intermediate Sequence will have to replace those two courses with the lectures and seminars offered and cross listed by the Program in Hellenic Studies. Students are also strongly encouraged but not required to complete GRKM 3003 prior to enrolling in other classes. 
    • Three additional courses at the 2000 level or above from at least two of the following three categories: 
      • Any course listed by the Program in Hellenic Studies (GRKM, CLGM, CSGM). 
      • Any course cross-listed by the Program in Hellenic Studies with the code GM (courses that contribute to an understanding of some aspect of Modern Greece within larger analytical concepts). 
      • Directed Readings and Independent Study.  
    • Though a Senior Thesis is not required for graduation it enables a student to be considered for departmental honors. It is advisable to begin planning for the thesis during the junior year. Interested students should identify a potential faculty advisor and discuss their plans with the DUS. 

Available for CC and GS undergraduates. 

  • PREREQUISITE
    • There are no prerequisites for the Hellenic Studies Minor. The study of either ancient or modern Greek is strongly encouraged.
  • DECLARING
    • There is no formal application to the Minor. Interested students should contact the Program’s Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Nikolas P. Kakkoufa.  
  • REQUIREMENTS
    • 5 courses (15-20 credits) at the 2000 level or above from at least two of the following three categories:
      • Any course listed by the Program in Hellenic Studies (GRKM, CLGM, CSGM). 
      • Any course cross-listed by the Program in Hellenic Studies with the code HLNS (courses that contribute to an understanding of some aspect of Hellenic studies in different periods, different disciplinary focus, different geographical contexts). 
      • Directed Readings and Independent Study
    • Students will need to complete courses in all three distribution areas: 1) Periods (e.g. Ancient, etc.), 2) Disciplines (Comparative Literature, Queer Studies, Anthropology, Translation, History, Archaeology, etc.) 3) Geography (Mediterranean Studies, etc.) .
    • Any appropriate course taught in the area of Hellenic Studies in departments other than Classics, must be approved by the DUS. Typically, no more than two courses will be allowed to double-count with a student’s major or the college’s Core Requirements.
    • Though a Senior Thesis is not required for graduation it enables a student to be considered for departmental honors. It is advisable to begin planning for the thesis during the student’s junior year. Interested students should identify a potential faculty advisor and discuss their plans with the DUS. 

Available for CC and GS undergraduates enrolled prior to Fall 2024. 

The minimum credit requirement for the Hellenic Studies Concentration is 21 credits and includes:

1. Modern Greek language and culture courses (Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced, Cultural Dictionary I & II, Readings in Modern Greek; minimum 8 credits). Students will work with undergraduate advisor to determine their level of the language.

 2. Modern Greek Studies interdepartmental courses (CLGM, CSGM, HSGM; minimum 12 credits).  The program of study should be planned as early as possible with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies each semester in order to obtain program approval. Opportunities exist for study abroad in Greece, Cyprus and Turkey for the summer or an academic term for credit. Students work closely with the concentration advisor on the selection of the foreign schools and the transfer of credit.

Students may also wish to write a Senior Thesis which will substitute one Modern Greek Studies interdepartmental seminar. While not required for graduation, the thesis enables a student to be considered for departmental honors. It is advisable to begin planning for the thesis during the student’s junior year. Interested students should identify a potential faculty advisor.

The courses in the Hellenic Studies program are designed to develop the student’s proficiency in aspects of Modern Greek culture, language, and history. The Minor in Modern Greek requires five courses above the Elementary Language Level.

Opportunities exist for study abroad in Greece, Cyprus and Turkey for the summer or an academic term for credit. Students work closely with the concentration advisor on the selection of the foreign schools and the transfer of credit. For more information, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Nikolas P. Kakkoufa ([email protected])

See also the Barnard website.